The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1) by Alexandra Bracken -- Restarting August 9th 2024

[Courtney]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[Dr. Begbie seems like a good ally so far. Ruby and Martin managed to get away. Is Ruby really an orange? Why the color classification anyways? What is Martin's powers? Also this Children's League sounds interesting. I think this book has me hooked. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[Martin is a jerk, and I am glad Ruby managed to get away. It sucks that the Children's League might be bad. Let's see what happens with Liam, Chubs, and Zu.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[Wow ten thousand dollars per kid. Geez! Also I wish Ruby would just tell them the truth. They are helping her, and it seems they are being truthful to her.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

I'll join but I'll be slow. Go ahead and read you guys.

[Helen 2.0]

Nicole I'm doing five chapters a day, starting today or tomorrow. Does that sound good for you?

[Courtney]

I was going to stop at 6, but it got really good. Iam looking for something else too read so I can stay close to you guys.

[Helen 2.0]

Aw thanks! In that case I'll start today not tomorrow.

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

5 chapters sounds good. I'll try to start tonight. If not, I'll read 10 chapters tomorrow.

[Helen 2.0]

Through Chapter 5. (view spoiler)[ I already like this better than her other book, Passenger. There's a lot of mystery right now - how does Ruy's power work? What are Cate's motivations? What did Ruby do to her parents? I hope I get answers soon.
The US government's reaction to the IAAN survivors seems a bit extreme. I mean it took the US so long to finally apologize for the internment of Japanese Americans but now I they're right back at it, apparently. Why hold Greens captive, when all that distinguishes them from the rest of the population is higher intelligence - jealous much? Like I said, extreme and also unnecessary.
It can't be just the US affected by the children's disease. I'm curious as to how other countries handled the crisis.
(hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 10. (view spoiler)[ Martin is an interesting character; awful, for sure. But I wonder if he's naturally a sadistic creep or whether that's a result of years of pressure on the Psi camps. Characters like Martin don't usually get a redeeming story arc, but I'd be pleasantly surprised if he does.
Okay, so I know having 98% of a nations adolescents die is a horrible disaster. But how did that turn all but the most populated cities in the US into ghost towns? To me it doesn't follow.
Another thing that bothers me is the weird selectiveness of the disease. Yes, it hits during puberty, but why does it hit almost exclusively Americans? Perhaps the disease is some form of extremely effective biochemical warfare against the US.
<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 12. I'm a bit behind. How are you doing, Nicole, Courtney?
(view spoiler)[ I actually like Chubs. He makes people work for his trust and his good opinions, and though he comes off as mean I think he's just doing what's necessary to survive in their world. Besides, his trust and good will seems worth more when it's rare.
(hide spoiler)]
@Courtney (view spoiler)[ I sort of want Ruby to tell them just to get it over with, especially since Chubs is pretty much on to her. I know there will be a shitstorm (excuse my language) if the truth comes out forcefully or not from Ruby's mouth. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Sorry! I just got the book today. I didn't have time to pick it up yesterday. I'll start tomorrow and try to catch up.

[Courtney]

I am readin 12 right now. I was out of town so I had no time to read

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 16: (view spoiler)[They figured out where the Slip Kid is! I'm so proud of them! It's good for Ruby since she can keep her cover as "code-breaker" for a little longer; she did break that code.
I stand by what I said, Chubs is awesome. But I'm glad Ruby's love interest is Liam and not Chubs because Chubs/Ruby would not work out well, if you ask me.
(hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Chapter 16: (view spoiler)[They figured out where the Slip Kid is! I'm so proud of them! It's good for Ruby since she can keep her cover as "code-breaker" for a little longer; she did break that code.
I stand by..." (hide spoiler)](view spoiler)[

(view spoiler)[ I was pretty impressedshe was able to figure that out. I really like this Liam\Ruby thing going on< spoiler> (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 19:
(view spoiler)["When a girl cries, few things are more worthless than a boy."
Lol SO TRUE guys never now what to do when they see a girl crying - at least none that I know.
(hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

@Courtney (view spoiler)[Ruby and Liam are cute together, but it doesn't seem like "true love" or anything. I laughed so hard though in Chapter 20 when Chubs (view spoiler)[Cockblocked Liam and Ruby in the tent with his sleep-talk about crackers. (hide spoiler)] Priceless! (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 25 - (view spoiler)[Clancy is super suspicious; I like his character but I just can't trust him, he's too good to be true. In some of the scenes between Ruby and Clancy it seems like the author is hinting Clancy's using his power to influence her. He reminds of Warner from the Shatter Me series, in personality and manner, except he does Warner's transformation in reverse! Warren turns good and I think Clancy's about to go way off the deep end. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Up to chapter 11: Sorry it took me so long guys! (view spoiler)[ So far I like the story but it's very up and down for me. I love the mysteries and plot twists so far. However, I was very confused at some aspects of the story and needed some things spelled out like Ruby's powers. I didn't understand what her powers were exactly until about 100 pages in the book. I know that she's still also trying to learn her powers but I needed it spelled out: Ruby can see people's thoughts and memories through visions. When she first arrived at Thurmond, I had no idea what was going on when she was getting sorted and seeing that guy's thoughts. I was also confused by how the "classes" or colors were sorted. I wish the author just info dumped that part on how the children were sorted by their abilities and what those colors meant instead of using Ruby's abilities to explain them. I just reread over this part and yes, it does make sense now that I'm A LOT further in the book but reading it for the first time made it really confusing. I'm still not completely sure what makes Orange so special and what they do.

I also found it weird that over the course of 6 years, cities became ghost towns. As you said Helen, it doesn't follow the story and it doesn't add up with the timeline. Somewhere in the book, they said that the disease activated during the time of puberty, so basically girls around the age of 14 and boys a little bit older and above should still have been alive. It doesn't make sense that high traffic cities would suddenly become ghost towns.

I'm not feeling the romance in this story. I'm not as far as you guys yet but I just don't see the connection between Ruby and Liam yet. Maybe later on in the chapter but right now, they're all just trying to survive and stay under the radar.

Chubs is my fav character so far. He's very honest and blunt about his opinions. I think he balances the group out. While everyone is farseeing and aiming high for their goals, Chubs is the one that's grounded and bring everyone back to reality. He may not always be considered as the fun friend but I think he's the reason they're still all alive.

I don't like that Ruby's keeping secrets from them. At this point, there really is no point to keeping secrets. For everything that they've been through even for a short period of time, she should know that they're not going to hurt her or turn her in because that would also affect them. What's so wrong about them finding out that she might be an orange or whatever color she actually is? They're group was originally aiming to find the Slip Kid who is rumored to be an Orange. So why would they even hate Ruby for being one?

(hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Nicole - have you read Shatter Me? The further I go, the more this reminds me of the Shatter Me series.

About the romance - (view spoiler)[ Yeah with Liam I got the feeling Ruby likes him mostly because he's the first attractive guy she's talked to since hitting puberty. Doesn't say a lot about their chances at a healthy relationship. (hide spoiler)]

Chubs is perfect.

About the powers - (view spoiler)[ Took me just as long to figure out the powers, and I still don't know what Reds do. And are Greens just smarter than the average human, like is that it? That doesn't strike me as internment-worthy. Also, the Orange powers were really confusing because Ruby's are different from the others. I wish the author had just stated, "here are the normal orange powers, except ignore that in Ruby's case." Or, you know, something along those lines. I agree that I wish it was clearer. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Nicole - have you read Shatter Me? The further I go, the more this reminds me of the Shatter Me series.

About the romance - [spoilers removed]

Chubs is perfect.

About the powers - [spoilers remo..."

Same here. It reminds me of the Shatter Me series and the Maze Runner series (just a bit).

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Nicole - have you read Shatter Me? The further I go, the more this reminds me of the Shatter Me series.

About the romance - [spoilers removed]

Chubs is perfect.

About the powers - [spoilers remo..."

No I haven't. I don't know, it just didn't look interesting to me. Is Shatter Me good though? Maybe I'll consider reading it since so many people seem to like it.

[Courtney]

Chapter 24 (view spoiler)[I can't believe Zu is leaving :( (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Chapter 19: (view spoiler)[ I finally get what an Orange does! They could have just said that in the beginning of the book really! I loved this chapter but I wish that Ruby told them the truth instead of finding out that way. In the end, they really could not care less that she was an orange. If she really wanted to protect them, then she should have told them just so they're aware. I loved the part when she started crying and the boys were just awkwardly staring at her like they've never seen a girl cry before. So funny! (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Done.
GAH
I'm going to take a moment to collect my thoughts before I comment on the ending.

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Done.
GAH
I'm going to take a moment to collect my thoughts before I comment on the ending."

I'm guessing that means it's good?

[Courtney]

Chapter 28 (view spoiler)[Clancy kind of reminds me of Warner from the Shatter Me series especially in these last couple of chapters. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Chapter 25 - [spoilers removed]"

I thought the same way, but really liked Warner so maybe that is a good thing.

[Courtney]

Done. I really dont know what to say rht now. What the heck?!

[Courtney]

Here is my review just in case you guys are interested.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Helen 2.0]

Nicole wrote: "Helen 2.0 wrote: "Nicole - have you read Shatter Me? The further I go, the more this reminds me of the Shatter Me series.

About the romance - [spoilers removed]

Chubs is perfect.

About the power..."

I actually hated the first Shatter Me book, but my friend badgered me to finish the series and by the end I liked it (because of a lovely boy named Warner). I can't tell you whether or not you'd like it.

[Helen 2.0]

Okay so final thoughts.
(view spoiler)[ Alexandra Bracken loves to crush readers' hopes and dreams in the last chapters - she did the same thing in Passenger! But at least for Darkest Minds I won't have to wait another several months for the sequel.
Liam's little story about life without Psi was sweet but weird on the author's part. Almost like she wrote AU fanfiction about her own book lol!
I understand why Ruby erased herself from Liam's memory but I didn't think it fair of her to remove some of his memories of Chubs as well. Liam should be allowed to worry and look for Chubs just like Ruby will; I felt she went too far that time.
Um about that note Clancy left saying "I lied, I would have run"... does that mean he's going to turn out redeemable? Or do we perhaps have a new Darkling on our hands? I can definitely draw a solid comparison between the two. (hide spoiler)]

I cannot wait to get on with the series. Good thing we're planning a BR for the next one already!
Courtney I'm impressed with your review-writing speed. I'm going to try and write mine today but I'm not sure what to say yet.

[Nicole's Book Diaries]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Okay so final thoughts.
Alexandra Bracken loves to crush readers' hopes and dreams in the last chapters - she did the same thing in Passenger! But at least for Darkest Minds I won't have to wait a..."

I'm reading dream thieves too, so I'll probably finish tomorrow but I'm glad you guys liked it. I look forward to reading your reviews.

[Courtney]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Okay so final thoughts.
Alexandra Bracken loves to crush readers' hopes and dreams in the last chapters - she did the same thing in Passenger! But at least for Darkest Minds I won't have to wait a..."
I like to get all the emotions I have about the books out so I try to write them all right after I finish the book. I am super excites to continue on with this series.

[Helen 2.0]

Here's my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Abi]

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Reading from July 24th 2016

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[Joanne]

i'll be joining :)

[McAbby]

il join guys :)

[Abby]

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[So there are more camps? The story is unraveling bit by bit. (hide spoiler)]

[Abby]

Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[It's interesting to see all these kids having to act like adults. They fend for themselvesout in this world. (hide spoiler)]

[Abby]

Chapter 21: (view spoiler)[Clancy is a creep! I definitely don't trust him. (hide spoiler)]

[Abby]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Completely hate that she sent Liam off like that! I understand the reason, but that wasn't okay with me! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting September 16th 2016. Happy Reading ☺

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[Natalie]

I'll be joining :)

[Danielle]

I may be joining :D

[Carina]

I think that this book is the best option like for a movie that I ever read.

[Dannii]

Carina wrote: "I think that this book is the best option like for a movie that I ever read."

I'm only half way through it and I agree. It has great visual appeal!

[Dannii]

1/4: (view spoiler)[This has such an intense beginning! The reader is given no preamble and no explanation to the myriad of mysteries that initially present themselves. I am not always a fan of these sort of beginnings, but it really works here. It is so fast-paced that I bombed through it!

This reminds me a lot of The Maze Runner and The 5th Wave with the crazy backstories, the high action plots and the learn as you read approach to storytelling. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

2/4: (view spoiler)[I just knew Cate wasn't to be trusted! It, again, reminded me of the fake release in The Maze Runner series, which proved to be just another trial.

This is still action-heavy and has little dialogue, and I have so many unanswered questions but I am still loving it!

I also really like how real this feels. The scene where Ruby is shaving her legs for the first time is so relatable and struck such a chord with me. It made her seem human: what girl hasn't gone through the struggle of nicked knees and the realization that they are now, suddenly, growing up!? Her realization has come later than most and it is just heartbreaking that she is going through the transformation from child to woman alone.

All the characters are easy to identify with. Zu is so adorable, I am anticipating Liam as the love interest and I even like Chubs: his anger and anxiety come from a good place, I think. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

3/4: (view spoiler)[Zu and Ruby's friendship is absolutely adorable to read about! Zu is so starved for female role models and friendship that she instantly trusts in Ruby. Her fragility and vulnerability only brings home how vile the treatment of these children is. It also makes me worries that something is going to happen to Zu. These dang authors know how to break our hearts!

I have no idea why Ruby is so adamant to hide her abilities. It only seems to cause her grief and the others to believe her aloof or skittish. I also have no idea why her abilities are only sparked by some touches and not others.

I wonder if the literary references in this will actually provide any clues as to the outcome of the plot?

The Liam and Ruby budding romance isn't really interesting me anymore. Where my action at!? (hide spoiler)]